Yin Yoga


Yin Yoga is based on the Taoist concepts of yin and yang, opposite and complementary principles in nature ☯️

Painting depicting a figure in king pidgeon pose, Eka Pada Rajakapotasana, surrounded by small flowers with a lotus flower above their right hand

Yin Yoga is slow-paced style of yoga as exercise, incorporating principles of traditional Chinese medicine, with asanas (postures) that are held for longer periods of time than in other styles. Advanced practitioners may stay in one asana for five minutes or more. The sequences of postures are meant to stimulate the channels of the subtle body known as meridians in Chinese medicine and as nadis in Hatha yoga.

While “yang” yoga focuses on your muscles, yin yoga targets your deep connective tissues, like your fascia, ligaments, joints, and bones. It’s slower and more meditative, giving you space to turn inward and tune into both your mind and the physical sensations of your body. Because you’re holding poses for a longer period of time than you would in other traditional types of yoga, yin yoga helps you stretch and lengthen those rarely-used tissues while also teaching you how to breathe through discomfort and sit with your thoughts.


Key Benefits of Yin Yoga
Person in a seated yoga pose at sunset on a beach in front of waves coming in

Learn more on MindBodyGreen: